Review Summary: Radiohead enrich our lives with dazzling soundscapes. The high priest clowns of rock pull another rabbit from the hat of music.
One of the most critically acclaimed and dazzling spectacles in music history is the rise of England's sad wizards, Radiohead, of
South Park fame for the uninitiated. Never a band to stick to one vibe for too long, these guys change costumes like drag queens, and they've got twice the attitude. Vocalist/poet Thom Yorke acts as Doctor Strange, dazzling our ears with unpredictability. If you've ever been unable to catch a rabbit in a castle, you'll know what I'm talking about. Yet this elusiveness draws us in and keeps us listening. Some of us have been with Radiohead since the beginning, others came later, but if one listens to Radiohead's
Kid A you might just come in an instant, and that's not praise I give out lightly. Here is my review:
Let us begin with the opener, naturally. "Everything In Its Right Place" is a beast of a track, you don't get openers like this nowadays. Thom's soothing vocals fit perfectly with the dazzling soundscapes on display here. If you were a fan of an album like 1997's
Ok Computer and you heard this you might not even know it was Radiohead if not for Thom Yorke's soothing vocals. On the second track, we are treated to more of the same. Sublime, and not like the crappy band. You'll notice that Radiohead ditched rock for electronic music on this album, and it's truly insane. The people did not know what to do or how to react, a musical 911, but better. This was like when Bob Dylan played an electric guitar for the first time, or when The Beatles smoked marijuana.
"The National Anthem" is up next, and if you thought the regular national anthem was a piece of ***e (spoiler: it is), this rendition will dazzle you like fireworks on one of the holidays that feature fireworks. This is epic. The drums are fantastic, the bass is fantastic, and the other parts - you guessed it, they're fantastic. Thom Yorke sings about the national anthem.
"How to Disappear Completely" is up next, another beastly anthem. This song will soothe your soul. If you're noticing a trend here, why are you reading my review? You need to experience the Head. Radiohead is the best head there is, for it cannot bite your penis or laugh at its size. Thom Yorke has been there, and he shares his pain.
My personal favorite here is "Motion Picture Soundtrack." A scathing critique on the film industry, Thom Yorke lays down the law in a way only sad British techno-rockers can. You can really picture Thom singing this song from the director's chair, depressed that he has to direct another Rob Schneider movie when he would rather be dazzling with his art. He asks the world many questions, but there are no answers.
Kid A has been called many things. Listen for yourself and decide. You might be dazzled, you might be decimated, but one thing remains the same: not Radiohead. They're already looking for the next vibe to ride.
